BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
It all starts somewhere.
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San Jose Sharks sniper Jonathan
Cheechoo is just one of thousands of kids that once
played in the Little NHL Tournament. |
Thirty-five years ago, a small group of
native bands came together and created the Little NHL Hockey
Tournament so aboriginal youth could get a
chance to showcase their skills on a national
level.
For these aboriginal children, the tournament
became their voice in the world of hockey.
And it continues today, stronger than
ever.
The 2006 version of the tournament will be
held in Sudbury from March 12-16, 2006. This marks the sixth
time in the last 10 years the tournament has
been contested in the Nickel City.
"People are going to see a lot of action,"
said George Francis, Little NHL Tournament president. "It will
be bigger and better than ever before because
it's our 35th anniversary. For me, it's
always fun to watch the younger kids like the tykes at the
tournament. We're happy to be back in Sudbury.
Sudbury has some great facilities to play
hockey in."
The tournament was last contested in Sudbury
back in 2003.
Sudbury was able to wrestle the event away
from Sault Ste. Marie, which had also hotly contested hosting
the 2006 tournament.
"We're happy the executive board chose
Sudbury for the 35th anniversary tournament," said Ward 3
Councillor Ron Dupuis. "It means a great deal to our city. It
also means a great deal to the native players and their
families. It's more than just a hockey tournament. It's a big
reunion for aboriginal people from across the province. We want
to make everyone feel welcome so they all come back."
The Little NHL tournament has been the
proving ground for many hockey players who have gone onto
bigger and better things. Current NHL professional players such
as Jonathan Cheechoo and Chris Simon once played in the
tournament. Former NHL Coach of the Year Ted Nolan also played
in the tournament.
"The tournament was started because our young
people didn't have a place to play hockey," said Chico Ralph,
executive board member. "It gives our people an opportunity to
play in a big tournament, who aren't on a rep team. It's the
largest and longest contested native hockey tournament in
Canada. The hospitality from Sudbury over the years has been
great and the people receive us warmly."
Even the Sudbury Wolves are 100 percent
behind the Little NHL.
"It's a great tournament," said Wolves vice
president Blaine Smith. "We have been involved in it in the
past. A lot of good hockey gets played. It has great economic
spin off for our community as well. It will be good for
everyone."
Up to 120 teams from across Ontario are
expected to participate with close to 5,000 players and
spectators, injecting about $5 million into the local
economy.
The tournament will use all nine of the
city's arenas featuring over 300 games involving male and
female players at the tyke to bantam levels.
